Amidst Critics, DepEd gears up for K to 12 full implementation

DepEd Philippines

"On this 5th year of K to 12 implementation, we are running a marathon and I can already see the finish line. We are on our last mile," said Education Secretary Br. Armin Luistro FSC after presenting a midterm report to the 16th Congress on the K to 12 Basic Education Program. 

In his presentation, Luistro outlined developments in the implementation of the K to 12 Program, specifically, the provision of fundamental education inputs from 2010 to 2014.  He asserted that, “All 220 divisions of the Department of Education (DepEd) have finished planning and have figures on enrolment a year in advance. Plans were reviewed per division and against national figures then we [took results and] consulted with industry representatives.”

Since 2010 to 2014, DepEd has filled 128,055 new teacher items and constructed a total of 88,805 classrooms. DepEd expects 1.2M to 1.6M students from public high schools to enter Grade 11 in 2016 and 2017.

Of the 7,914 public high schools, DepEd identified 5,020 as potential Senior High Schools that are expected to accommodate 1.6M to 2.2M students. The remaining 800k to 1M students are expected to go to non-DepEd providers such as private high schools, private HEIs, SUCs and LUCs offering Senior High School.

Amid criticisms, the education chief encouraged openness to dialogue and extended gratitude to partners in the legislative who were instrumental in creating the Enhanced Basic Education Act and ensuring that no learners are left behind.

“The curriculum is done and it is the first time in history that it can be accessed in its entirety in the DepEd website,” Luistro said. He added that while it is complete, the Department welcomes feedback from the public. He maintains that education is everyone’s responsibility.

Commenting on the strengths of the K to 12 Program, Luistro said, “We looked at the exits (of the K to 12 curriculum).  Each Filipino should have skills in Information Technology, Learning and Innovation, Communication, and Life Skills. Mas importante po ang life skills, hindi lang ang nakukuha sa libro. Every Filipino will have the skills to be able to go to school, start their own businesses or be employed.”

Amid claims that a number of teachers stand to be unemployed because of the K to 12 Program, Luistro gave his assurance saying, "The situation is manageable. We will be hiring an estimated 30,000 to 41,000 high school teachers for 2016 and 2017 and we will give priority to the displaced teaching and non-teaching staff."

In his closing remarks, House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte, Jr. vowed to block attempts by Congress to suspend the K to 12 Program’s implementation saying, “We in Congress have given them the law and it cannot be suspended. Based on the discussion today, I think they [DepEd] are on the right track.”

As of March 5, there are 1,116 private schools that applied for SHS permits for SY 2016. Luistro said, “By the end of March, we will be able to issue actual probationary permits (for these applicants).”

2015 Graduation Message of DepEd Secretary Br. Armin Luistro, FSC

Message for the Secondary

Congratulations to our dear graduates! My appreciation goes out to the teachers, school administrators, staff, and parents who have supported and walked with our graduates to reach this milestone.

Today is a testament to your collective efforts—the fruit of your hard work and perseverance. Once again, you have proven that with competence, compassion and a zeal for excellence you can accomplish anything.
Dear graduates, as you turn a new leaf towards the achievement of your dreams, bear in mind the values and lessons you have learned throughout your stay in school. Your education has given you the skills to move forward, to pursue your purpose, and to actualize your dreams. Your education continues to cement your foundations to become a better Filipino; one with a keen sense of both self and community, and one who is mindful of diversity that is grounded on acceptance, tolerance, and peace.

This year’s graduation theme “Saktong Buhay: Sa De-Kalidad na Edukasyon Pinanday” calls to mind the importance of education as we build the foundations of our dreams. Let this be a reminder of the stories of our fallen and living heroes, soldiers and teachers alike, who persevered in their education to secure a decent life for their families. It impresses upon us the power of education in unlocking doors of opportunities and in enabling us to pave the path to a dignified and productive life, a life that is lived not only for ourselves but also for others.

As you forge ahead, you will experience moments of victories and defeats: Let your triumphs be an inspiration for other people; let your losses serve as your motivation to strive for excellence. Let all these collective experiences inspire hope in us to seek greater heights and aspire for a higher purpose. Throughout it all always be mindful of the people who help you along the way and pay it forward to others who will need your help too.

For us in the schools, may this theme guide us all as we go forth and realize our mission to provide Filipino learners a quality education that will empower them to attain their life goals.
Mabuhay kayo!


Mensahe (para sa Elementarya)

Mainit na pagbati sa lahat ng ating mga magsisipagtapos, sa lahat ng mga guro, tagapamahala at kawani ng paaralan, at mga magulang na patuloy na sumusuporta at gumagabay sa ating mga mag-aaral upang marating ang yugto na ito ng kanilang buhay.

Ang araw na ito ay katunayan ng inyong sama-samang pagsusumikap; ito ang bunga ng inyong walang humpay na pagsisigasig at pagtityaga. Sa pamamagitan ng inyong kakayahan at pagsisikap para sa kahusayan ay napatunayan ninyong kayang makamit ang kahit na anumang mithiin.

Mga minamahal na magsisipagtapos, tandaan ninyo ang mga mabubuting aral na inyong natutunan sa kabuuan ng inyong pananatili sa paaralan. Ang inyong edukasyon ay nagbigay sa inyo ng kasanayan upang magpatuloy sa paglalakbay tungo sa paghubog ng inyong pagkatao at pagtupad ng inyong mga pangarap. Ito ay patuloy na magpapatibay ng inyong pundasyon para maging isang mas mabuting Pilipino; isang mamamayan na may kamalayan sa sarili at sa komunidad; at isang indibiduwal na may bukas na isipan, respeto at pagtanggap sa pagkakaiba-iba ng kultura.

Ang tema ng taong ito “Saktong Buhay: Sa De-Kalidad na Edukasyon Pinanday” ay isang pagpapaalala ng kahalagahan ng edukasyon sa pagbuo ng ating mga pangarap. Ito rin ay isang paggunita sa mga kwento ng tagumpay ng ating mga bayani, tulad ng mga sundalo, pulis, at guro, na nagpursigi sa kanilang pag-aaral para mabigyan ng disenteng buhay ang kanilang mga pamilya. Ipinapabatid nito sa atin ang kahalagahan ng edukasyon sa pagbubukas ng mga oportunidad at sa pagkamit ng isang marangal na buhay, isang buhay na hindi lamang para sa ating sarili kundi para sa kapwa.

Sa inyong pagbaybay tungo sa katuparan ng inyong mga adhikain, maari kayong makaranas ng tagumpay at pagkabigo: Nawa’y ang inyong tagumpay ay magsilbing inspirasyon para sa iba at ang inyong pagkabigo ay mag-udyok sa inyo upang magsikap na mas maging mahusay. Nawa’y ang kolektibong karanasan na ito ay pumukaw ng pag-asa sa atin upang patuloy na maghangad ng higit pa para sa ikabubuti ng sarili at ng sambayanan.

Para sa atin sa mga paaralan, ito nawa’y maging gabay natin sa ating patuloy na pagsulong ng isang de-kalidad na edukasyon na magbibigay kakayanan sa mga Pilipinong mag-aaral na makamit ang kanilang mga hangarin sa buhay.

Mabuhay kayo!